Thermally responsive valve apparatus

ABSTRACT

High flow capacity thermally responsive valve apparatus particularly adapted for use in the cooling system of an internal combustion engine. The valve apparatus has basically three major integral elements which are joined together to provide a relatively low cost structurally strong device.

United States Patent 1191 Wong 1 1 Jan. 7, 1975 [54] THERMALLY RESPONSIVE VALVE 2,875,978 3/1959 Kmiecik 251/333 P R TU 2,881,616 4/1959 Clifford et a1. 236/34 X 3,172,602 3/1965 ,Drapeau 1 236/345 Inventor: Backman Wong, Wayland, Mass- 3,268,109 8/1966 Coppens 220/72 3,292,856 12/1966 Beatenbough et a1. 236/34 [73] Assgnee' g g' gg g'g 'gg Cmpommn, 3,768,731 A 10/1973 Lavado 236/93 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS F' [22] May 9 1973 1,917,925 11 1970 Germany 236/34 [21] Appl. N0.: 358,590

Primar Examiner-Edward G. Favors Related U.S.App11cat1on Data y v [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 352,195, April 18, Attorney Asem m FIrm JdCOX & Mukbtmth 57 ABSTRACT 52] 'U.s.c1. 236/34, 251/333 g flow p y thermally responsive valve 91 [51] 1111. C1. F0lp 7/16 tus p r y p e for s in the ng y tem [58] Field of Search 251/333, 356; 236/34, 34,5 .of an mternal combust1on engme. The valve apparatus has basically three major integral elements which are [56] References Cit d joined together to providea relatively low cost struc- UNITED STATES PATENTS 51mg dame 6 Wells 6661. 251/333 x 3 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures 11 THERMALLY RESPONSIVE VALVE APPARATUS RELATED APPLICATION This application is a continuation-in-part of Patent Application Ser. No. 352,195, filed Apr. 18, 1973.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Numerous thermally responsive valve devices have been created which are specifically for use in the cooling system of an internal combustion engine. However, most of such devices are relatively costly to produce, and those which are not costly are frequently shortlived or are subject to defective operation.

It is an object of this invention to provide thermally responsive valve apparatus which is particularly adapted to control fluid flow in the cooling system of an internal combustion engine, in which the apparatus has relatively high fluid flow capacity inconsideration of its physical size and in which the apparatus is longlived.

Another object of this invention is to provide such thermally responsive valve apparatus which permits excellent fluid flow.

It is another object of this invention to provide such apparatus which can be produced at relatively low costs.

Another object of this invention is to provide such apparatus which is structurally strong but whichis constructed of relatively thin material, Other objects and advantages reside in the construc tion of the invention, combinations thereof, the method of manufacture, and the mode of operation, as will become more apparent from the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of thermally responsive valve apparatus of this invention.

FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of the apparatus of FIG. 11, showing the apparatus within a fluid conduit system.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Thermally responsive valve apparatus of this invention comprises primarily three major elements: a bridge element 10, a guide element 12, and a closure element 14.

The bridge element 110 has an annular vertical portion 20 and an annular horizontal portion 22. An annular valve seat portion 23, adjacent the lower part of the vertical portion 20, is joined to a plurality of arm portions 24 which extend angularly upwardly from the valve seat portion 23 and terminate in an annular or apertured abutment portion 26. The portions 20, 22, 23, 24, and 26 of the bridge element are integral and may be formed from a thin piece of material, such as metallic sheet material or the like, by a progressive stamping operation or the like.

The guide element 112 has an annular horizontal portion 30, an annular vertical portion 32, and a plurality of leg portions 34 which extend downwardly from the vertical portion 32 and terminate in an annular or apertured guide portion 36. The portions 30, 32, 34 and 36 ofthe guide element 12 are integral and may be formed from a thin piece of material, such as metallic sheet material or the like, by a progressive stamping operation or the like.

The closure element] 14 has a closure portion 40 which has a centrally located, downwardly inclined, re cess 37 within which is retained a thermally responsive actuator member 41 consisting of a'container 42 of thermally responsive actuator material and an actuator stem 44. The thermally responsive actuator member 41 may be of any suitable type and may be, for example, of the type which is shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,806,375 and 2,806,376. The actuator stem portion 44 is preferably threaded for fine adjustment and has a nut 46 threadedly attached thereto. The nut 46 is attached in any suitable manner to the apertured abutment portion 26. However, the thermally responsive actuator member 41 may be preadjusted to operate precisely at a given temperature. In such event, means for adjusting the stem portion 44 with respect to the container 44 is not used. I

A sleeve 48 closely encompasses the container 42 and extends through the guide portion 36 of the guide element 12. The sleeve 48 has a flange 49 at the upper portion thereof. A helical resilient member or spring 50 encompasses the sleeve 48 and the guide portion 36 and engages the leg portions 34 of the guide element 12 and engages flange 49 of the sleeve 48. The spring 50 thus urges the closure portion 40 toward the valve seat portion 23 of the bridge element 10. The nut 46, in engagement with the abutment portion 26, determines the position of the actuator stern 44 with respect to the container 42. The actuator stem 44 may be threadedly adjusted with respect to the nut 46 and thus is adjusted in its position with respect to the container 42.

The annular horizontal portion 22 of the bridge element l0 and the annular horizontal portion 30 of the guide element 12 are in engagement one with the other. The vertical portion 20 of the bridge element 10 is shown in engagement with the vertical portion 32 of the guide element 12. The annular horizontal portions 22 and 30 and/or the annular vertical portions 20 and 32 of the bridge element 10 and the guide element 12, respectively, are attached together by any suitable means, such as by soldering, welding, brazing, and the like. The annular portions 20, 22, 30 and 32 thus form a structurally strong flange section which is adapted to be clamped between two members of a fluid conduit.

As the valve apparatus of this invention is positioned within a fluid conduit, the container 42 of the actuator member 41 is positioned on the upstream side thereof so that the container 42 is engaged by fluid prior to movement of the fluid through the valve apparatus. The closure portion 40, when positioned as shown in FIG. 2, in engagement with the valve seat portion 23, prevents flow of fluid through the fluid conduit.

When fluid which engages the container 42 rises above a predetermined temperature, there is relative movement between the container 42 and the actuator stem 44. Due to the fact that the actuator stem 44 is retained by the nut 46, the actuator stem 44 does not move. Therefore, the container 42 moves downwardly and moves therewith the closure portion 40. Thus, the closure portion 40 moves from engagement with the annular valve seat portion 23, and fluid flow is permitted through the opening formed by the annular valve seat portion 23. Such movement of the closure portion 40 is against the forces of the resilient member 50. When the temperature of the fluid engaging the container 42 is reduced below a predetermined value, the resilient member 50 moves the closure portion 40 and the container 42 upwardly to the position thereof shown in FIG. 2, and the valve apparatus is again closed.

FIG. 2 shows thevalve apparatus of this invention within a conduit system having an inlet portion 60, a main outlet portion 62, which is in fluid communication with a radiator or the like, and a bypass portion 64. Attached to the lower portion of the sleeve 48 is an auxiliary closure member 66 provided with a plurality of protuberances 68. When the container 42 and the sleeve 48 move downwardly, the. auxiliary closure member 66 also moves downwardly and moves toward the bypass conduit 64, gradually closing the opening to the bypass conduit 64. Thus, as the main closure member 14 moves downwardly to provide a greater fluid flow through the valve structure, the auxiliary closure member 66 moves downwardly, effecting closing of the bypass conduit 64.

The main closure member 14 has a downwardly extending portion 70, a horizontal portion 72 and an upwardly extending peripheral portion 74. It has been found that such a configuration of the main closure member 14 provides a very strong and durable closure member, while providing a closure member which permits highly efficient, substantially non-turbulent fluid flow.

Thus, it is understood that the thermally responsive valve apparatus of this invention may be sturdily constructed of materials having relatively thin dimension. Because the thermally responsive valve apparatus of this invention is constructed of integral elements, the valve apparatus of this invention can be produced on a large volume basis at relatively low costs.

Although the preferred embodiment of the device has been described, it will be understood that within the purview of this invention, various changes may be made in the form, details, proportion and arrangement of parts, the combination thereof and mode of operation, which generally stated consist in a device capable of carrying out the objects set forth, as disclosed and defined in the appended claims.

The invention having thus been described, the following is claimed:

1. Thermally responsive valve apparatus comprising a one-piece sheet metal base member including a first cylindrical portion integrally connected to a first annular flange portion projecting radially outwardly from said first cylindrical portion, said base member further including a bracket portion projecting downwardly from said cylindrical portion and defining a lower guide opening aligned axially with said first cylindrical portion, a one-piece sheet metal bridge member including asecond cylindrical portion integrally connecting an inwardly disposed annular seat portion to a second annular flange portion projecting radially outwardly from said second cylindrical portion, said second cylindrical portion of said bridge member having an outer diameter substantially the same as the inner diameter of said first cylindrical portion of said'base member and in interfitting relation with said first cylindrical portion surrounding said second cylindrical portion, said second annular flange portion of said bridge member disposed in overlying adjacent relation on said first annular flange portion of said base member, a closure member disposed within said base member and having an outer annular portion engaging said seat portion, and a temperature responsive actuator positioned within said guide opening and connecting said closure member to said bridge member.

2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said closure member includes an outer generally cylindrical portion terminating with an upper peripheral edge portion engaging said seat portion of said bridge member, and said closure member includes an annular inner por tion which is surrounded by said cylindrical portion of said closure member and is integrally connected therewith to define therebetween an annular cavity facing said bridge member.

3. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 including weld means for rigidly connecting said first flange portion of said base member to said second flange portion of said 

1. Thermally responsive valve apparatus comprising a one-piece sheet metal base member including a first cylindrical portion integrally connected to a first annular flange portion projecting radially outwardly from said first cylindrical portion, said base member further including a bracket portion projecting downwardly from said cylindrical portion and defining a lower guide opening aligned axially with said first cylindrical portion, a one-piece sheet metal bridge member including a second cylindrical portion integrally connecting an inwardly disposed annular seat portion to a second annular flange portion projecting radially outwardly from said second cylindrical portion, said second cylindrical portion of said bridge member having an outer diameter substantially the same as the inner diameter of said first cylindrical portion of said base member and in interfitting relation with said first cylindrical portion surrounding said second cylindrical portion, said second annular flange portion of said bridge member disposed in overlying adjacent relation on said first annular flange portion of said base member, a closure member disposed within said base member and having an outer annular portion engaging said seat portion, and a temperature responsive actuator positioned within said guide opening and connecting said closure member to said bridge member.
 2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said closure member includes an outer generally cylindrical portion terminating with an upper peripheral edge portion engaging said seat portion of said bridge member, and said closure member includes an annular inner portion which is surrounded by said cylindrical portion of said closure member and is integrally connected therewith to define therebetween an annular cavity facing said bridge member.
 3. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 including weld means for rigidly connecting said first flange portion of said base member to said second flange portion of said bridge member. 